The Wishing Tree at Boutissaint

The trail starts near the Sainte-Langueur Chapel in Boutissaint, within the park.
The trail is signposted throughout.

(S/E) Facing the chapel, head left along the wide path. Shortly after the last building, turn right over a wooden bridge. Follow the fence of the European bison park and, at the edge of the woodland, veer to the left. Several wooden bridges help you along the way. The few enclosures and their wire fencing will serve as a guide. At the top of the climb, you’ll come to a side path.

(1) Head off to the right. Walk past an ancient oppidum to reach a side sunken track.

(2) Turn left. Continue along this main track, ignoring the clearing tracks and the occasional animal tracks. You’ll reach a clearer section and spot a track on the left with a fence at the left-hand corner.

(3) Turn left onto this path, which runs alongside the park’s boundary. When you reach a fairly deep ditch carved out by the streams further upstream, veer left and head downhill to reach a cleared passage. Cross the stream via this bridge, head back up to the right and you’ll soon rejoin the boundary fence. Continue to the left. When you reach the boundary between plots 14 and 16 (numbers marked on the oak trees), head down to the left. At the bottom of the valley, the Étang de la Bruyère comes into view. Go round it to the right and you’ll end up in front of the Corsican mouflon enclosure.

(4) Turn right and walk alongside this enclosure. At the very wide track, turn right and pass in front of a sand quarry. You’ll come to the perimeter fence on your right; follow it for about 200 m, keeping it on your right-hand side.

(5) Turn left onto this path, which is somewhat hidden by vegetation at the very start. Continue straight on; here too, numerous paths and tracks worn by animals are visible. You’ll reach the path leading from the château to the Parc de la Boulassière de la Boissière.

(6) Cross this avenue straight ahead. Head into the woodland and follow the path, which is regularly marked by wooden bridges that take you round the muddy and marshy sections caused by the numerous springs and streams. You’ll arrive at a viewpoint overlooking the Étang des Midoux.

(7) Take the path on the left and quickly cross the pond’s embankment. Follow this path uphill to reach the wishing tree. Continue straight on until you reach the boundary gates.

(8) Head into the woodland. To do this, turn left once, then – after walking about twenty metres – turn left again, and after about 80 metres, turn right. Follow this path through the woodland until you reach a Y-junction. Take the left-hand branch. Continue until you come out overlooking the Étang du Château. Cross the gully and, before the bridge leading to the embankment, walk along the right bank of the pond, either through the woods or along the water’s edge, depending on the season.
At the far end of the pond, first turn right then left to cross the stream, follow it for about sixty metres and head back up the woodland path, passing at the foot of a row of Puisaye sandstone slabs. Walk past the barn and return to the starting point (S/E).

The route is entirely within the park. It is signposted with signs bearing the words ‘L’arbre à vœux’.
There is an admission charge for this park; see here for current prices.

Most of the animals roam freely; only a few are kept in enclosures for safety reasons.
Whilst the park can be visited at various times of the year, the best season is undoubtedly spring, when the ferns are not yet fully grown. The animals hide in these shelters to ruminate and to find shade and coolness. For photography enthusiasts and those who enjoy the sound of the stag’s rut, late September and early October are a real treat.
Whilst on your walk, please avoid straying from the marked paths and disturbing the animals’ peace and quiet. Naturally, silence is essential when observing them. Do not try to approach the animals; they always maintain a safe distance.

Nearby are the Bois de la Folie treetop adventure park, the medieval construction site at Guédelon, the Bourdon reservoir, and the castle and town of Saint-Fargeau.